Electrical discharge device



M y 3, 1950 K. M. VAN GESSEL 2,508,979

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Jan. 16, 1945 s sheets-sheet 1 1. EC Z.

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JL'ARI mam ('71?) mum 11211355 M. WINGEJJEL INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY May 23, 1950 K. M. VAN GESSEL ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Jan. 16, 1946 liq. Z

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JQUZELM. Z421 GEJSEL INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY y 1950 K. M. VAN GESSEL 2,508,979

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Jan. 16, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet s a; .64 I I I, W 514 65 J& 6f 7 w u a 66 60 7 69 1 i 1134mm mzvawm I IN VEN TOR.

ATIQKNZY Patented May 2a, 1950- UNITED amin ' rmsc'rarcsr. Discusses nsvroa fxmi M. Van Gelsel, Scarsdale, N. v; assignor, by meme assignment-to Philips Laboratories, -Ino., Irvlngton on Hudson, N. Y., a corporation x ,of Delaware Application January 16, 1946, Serial No. 641,601

i .i 1 This invention relates in general to electrical apparatua -and more particularly to improved ways and means for electrically insulating metal parts and the like; i v

The invention is of interest in the manufacture of devices including insulated connecting elements such as the lead-in wires 0! electric discharge tubes and the like.

It is anobiect orthe prwent invention to techitate the manufacture and installation or insulated parts having certain electrical characteristics.

It is another object of theinvention to improve the simultaneous bonding of insulating material toa plurality of spaced apart. metal elements, and particularly, to provide simplified metal to glass seals.

It is a further object of the present invention to insure the predetermined spaced relation of a plurality of metal to glass seals.

Another object of the invention is to improve the manufacture of devices incorporating electrically insulated connecting elements, such as the lead-in wires oi electric discharge tubes, collectively insulating elements or connecting assemblies and the like, by reducing the time and cost of such manufacture and insuring the predetermined accuracy' or the steps involved therein.

A further object of the present invention is to provide electric discharge tubes and other like devices incorporating insulated lead-in connecting elements distinguished by improved electrical characteristics, ease of assembly. ruggedness or construction-and capacity.

Still another obiect'ofthe invention is to provide improved electric discharge tubes facilitating the insulation of the lead-in conductors in a predetermined manner.

Yet another object of the invention i to pro- 40 vlde improved lead-in conductors for electric discharge'tubes and the like so that the installation mined insulating relation in a single assembly operation.

Other objects, and the manner in which the. same are brought about will. be obvious from the 5.

following description:

Electrically insulated parts and devices incor- 5 Claims. (91. 29-2513) 2 porating electrically insulated conductors such as electric discharge tubes, insulated connecting assemblies and the like heretofore were made by various methods which, in industrial practice, were found to be quite time consuming, complex and costly so that methods or manufacturing such parts and devices more simp y, more accurately, more cheaply and more speedily, for a long time have been a desideratum in the electrical arts. 4

In the manufacture of electric discharge tubes, for example, it is common practice when making the stem or base oi the tube to seal metal lead wires in glass tubing orin 'a glass In most cases it is necessary to cement-a cap of metal or some insulating material, such as Bakelite, over the stem to protect-the lead-in wires from breaking and to form a firm "support for the base pins and other contact or mounting elements. v

In addition, the present methods of making the stem and inserting the lead-wires in the mold are slow and laborious operations. Each 01 the lead-wires required have to be separately positioned before the sealing operation. Furthermore, because of the usual limited space available for the stem and the associated lead-wires, the arrangement becomes crowded and great care has to be taken to insure proper lead-in wire spac- 80 ing. The insulating space limitation in turn limits the' possible saie voltage and frequency impressed on adjacent lead-wires.

The method of passing lead-wires and conductors through insulation filled depressions in metal discs as described in my copending U. 8.

application Ser. No. 586,283, filed April 3, 1945, eliminates this crowding to a considerable extent, but the lead-in wire spacing is nevertheless limited by diameter of the metal socket. r

The present invention, in. one embodiment, embraces novel method of forming the lead-in conductors from one piece or metal so as to have a common connecting portion and thence shaping the said lead-in conductors symmetrically about a common axis so as to be collectively held in such relation by the said common. portion during the sealing operation.

In the drawings accompanying this specifica- 3 tion and forming a part thereof, several embodiments of the invention areillustrated diagrammatically by way oi. example, but I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be so limited to the exact details oi construction, design or methods shown and described as numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims will occur to a person skilled'in the art.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view or a plurality of leadin elements formed from a single piece of material so as to have a common connecting portion.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view or the piece or material of Fig. 1 with the ends of the common portion welded together to form a tube.

Fig. 8 is a view in partial sectional elevation showing the tubular lead-in conductor material of Fig. 2 in position with the insulation material oi an electric discharge tube for sealing the leadwires of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the means of Fig. 3 with the common lead-in wire connecting portion 22 of Fig. 1 cut-away after the sealing operation.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a bimetal material from which the metallic tube of Fig. 2 can be formed.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section oi a piece of multimetal material from which the metallic tube of Fig. 2 is formed.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modification oithe means of Figs. 1 and 2 showing the stamping formation when long lead-wires are required.

Fig. 8 is another modification or the means of Fig. 1 showing a method of forming the stampins so as to utilize all the material.

Fig. 9 is aperspective view of a method of arranging rod-shaped lead-in wires on a common base.

Fig. 10 is a side sectional view oi a lead-wire conductor formed with a resilient spring-clip portion.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation view oi the stamping from which the resilient conductors of Fig. 10 is formed.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation view partly in section showing the lead-wires of Figs. 11 and 12 in position for sealing with the glass insulating portions 01' a discharge tube assembly or the like.

Fig. 13 is a plan view 01' the stamping with which the lead-in conductors of Figs. 10 and 11 are formed.

- Fig. 14 is a side view partly in sectional elevation illustrating still another modification of my invention showing a method of sealing in the lead-in wires of an electric discharge tube enclosure.

Fig. 15 illustrates the finished discharge tube of Fig. 14 with the common connecting portion removed.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown by Fig. 1 a stamping 22 formed from a continuous strip of lead-in wire material. This stamping '22 is preferably formed into a cylinder 24 when the ends or the common portion 22 are welded together at the Junction of Fig. 2. Any number of lead-in wires 2| having a common connection such as the portion 22 may be formed. The portion 22 may be relatively moved up or down in Fig. 1 so that the resulting upper and lower lead-in conductor portions 2| are of unequal length. In some modifications the punching of Fig. 1 is out along the dotted line of Fig. 1 so that only the upper lead-in portions remain.

In Fig. 3 there is shown an exhaust tube assembly including the tubular metal piece 24 of Fig. 2 cut along the said dotted line of Fig. 1.

In assembling the elements of Fig. 3 a metal disc 21 of slightly smaller diameter than the tubular metal member 24 is first welded to a metal exhaust tube 22 and thence to three or four of the lead in conductors 2| bent in at points 22 so that the stamping will be securely attached 4 to the disc 21 in approximately the positio shown by Fig. 3.

The glass ring 2! is now placed inside of the portions 2| and pushed down to seat on the metal disc 21 after which the lead-in conductors 2| are connected to the electrodes 2| of the tube assembly 2|.

A glass bulb is is now pushed down over the outside of the unwelded connector portions 2| so that the upper end of the said portions 2| will be held between the glass ring 28 and the lower portion of the bulb 29 approximately in the relation as shown by Fig. 3.

When the glass bulb 28. metal tubular portion 24, glassing ring 26 and the metal dis 21 are all in position they are sealed together by the proper application of heat. After the sealing operation, the common portion 22 may be cut or ground away as shown by Fig. 4 and the outside portions of the lead-in conductor portions moved into a desired position so as to be connected to an external circuit.

Any number of lead-in portions 2| may be sealed in between the bulb 24 and the ring 24 at the same time and in definite spaced relation as determined by the initial punching 20 of Fig. 1. Instead of a metal disc 21 and a metal exhaust tube 28, a glass disc and tube may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Th metal strips from which the metal punchings as shown by Figs. 1 and 2 may be made from CrFe, an alloy of iron, nickel and cobalt which has the same temperature coeilicient of expansion as that of glass. Cu or any other metal that can be sealed to glass. In some cases, especially where the lead-in conductors are relatively long, the resistance of the conductors will be formed 01 certain material high enough to be objectionable. In this event, the strip material may be made up of two or three thinner strips of diilerent metals such as CrFe, an alloy of iron, nickel and cobalt which has the same temperature coeillcient of expansion as that of glass, Cu by seam welding as shown by Figs. 5 and 6.

Any combination of metals is possible as long as the seal is made between glass or like material and a suitable metal with the proper coeflicient of expansion.

Where long leads are required, it might become necessary to employ two common connecting strips or bosses as 22 and 24 of Fig. '7. The lead-in strip or conductors 25 would thus be firmly held in place or in spaced relation during installation.

After the sealing operation both of the common connector portions 22 and 24 are cut away from the said conductors.

By means oi Fig. 8 there is shown a method of producing the punchings as shown by Fig. 1 without any loss of metal. B cutting the strip 28 as alongthe slot 39 into the portions indicated as 28 and 21, two punchings of lead-in conductors are made in one operation and without any loss of material.

When rod-shaped or tube-shaped lead-in conductors are required they are first cut into required lengths as indicated by the numeral 4|. These lead-in conductors 4| are then assembled in a metal jig or holder 42 provided with spaced apart holes 42 0! proper size. When the desired number or lead-in conductors 4| are assembled on the jig they are then welded to a common connector or base 44 at the lower ends 42. It the 7. lead-in conductors 4| are employed in connec- 8 tion with exhaust tube construction and the like the holder portion 44 is cut away after the sealing operation as hereinbeiore described for the construction in Fig. 8.

Still further the base 44 may be bent so that the rods 4| may be held to radiate out or in from a common center so as to be placed between the bulb 29 and the glassing 28 of Fig. 3 as hereinaiter described.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated by Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13. In Figs. 10 and 11 'there is shown side and front elevations of a clip-type lead-in conductor 46 formed oi a single piece 01' suitable material such asCu, Ni, CrFe or any other suitable material of the proper coeiiicient of expansionfor sealing (see Fig. 13). These lead-in elements 45, are punched iromilat strips so as to be crinkled at the portions 48 and thence the clip portions 46 are curled up as shown in Fig. 10 so as to leave two projecting crinkled legs. These legs are crinkled or bent at the portions 4! in the direction shown by Figs. 10 and 12. These i lead-in elements 45 are then electrically connected at the hooked end 54 'to 'electrodes ll forming portions or a desired electric discharge tube assembly 58. .The lead-in elements 4! are then bent up and hooked over the end portion 52 of a glass tube of the required'diameter. This glass tube 62 is seated on the ilat base portion 6! of the stamping of Fig. 13. When the clip conductor portions 45 are in the positions shown in Fig. 12 the glass portion 52 and the stamping will be locked together. The metal exhaust tube 53 is welded to the metal portion 68.

When the clip-type lead-in conductor elements are suitably arrangedaround the top portion 52 in the required number and spaced relation, a glass bulb 51 is pushed down over the lead-in elements 45 so that the hooked ends will be lined up and resting on the top end 01 the glass portion 52 and the portions 45 will be positioned between thesaid end portion '52 and the bulb 51 approximately in the relation shown by Fig. 12. After this operation the bulb Bl, lead-in elements 45 and the exhaust tube portion ilmay be sealed together by the proper heating operation.

After the sealing operation, the crinkled portion 49 (see Fig. 11) is ground or cut away electrically separating the lead-in conductors 45 and leaving the metal base portion 68 (see Fig. 13) sealed to the glass tube 52.

The resilient clip portions 46 of the said conductors will then be available for resiliently connecting the said electrodes 55 to an external circuit. By means of the larger diameter oi the clip portions 46 of lead-in wires or connectors 44 it is possible to increase the number and size of the electrodes 55 and thereby the capacity of th said electric discharge tube or the like.

Still another modification oi the invention is illustrated by means of F18. 14. ductors 58 are formed with a common cup shaped connector 58, in somewhat the same manner that the lead-injelements 46 are provided for the assembly shown in Fig. 12.

The stamped cup shaped metal form is welded to a metal exhaust tube BI and then pushed over a glass tube 60 and the lead-in fingers or conductors "bent over the'top oi the said glass portion 80 thereby to be in symmetrical radial relation about the axis oi the glass tube '0 and all approximately in the same plane. The leadin conductors 58 are then electrically attached to the electrodes 62 oi an exhaust tube assembly ll.

6 v ll. 'lhisbulbl4ispreierablyotthessmethicknessanddiameterastheglassingilsothatthe glassendportionsllsndllot'the-glassingll and the bulb are inaxial alignment.

I Fig. 15 illustrates the assembly means 01' Fig. 14

except that the common connecting portion II has been cut ,or ground away afterwhich the outside ends I willbe connected to other leads as required. Y

s It is suggested that some downward pressure be appliedtothebulbflduringthesealingperiod inordertoinsureaiiowoi'glassaroundthe lead-in portions 68 and to causethe bulb to settledown.

n It is obvious from this disclosure that the pro- '0 connection portion.

In the arrangement according to the present invention both the time and cost of sealing leadin conductors will be decreased since the need for individual lead-in conductor holding, positioning a and alignment is eliminated.

, increased. Still further, more electrode contacts will be possible, and because of the thin lead-in elements possible according to this invention dangerous sealing stresses in the glass portions are avoided. I

While I have shown and described and have pointed out in the annexed claims certain new and novel features of the invention, it will be understood that certain well-known equivalents of the elements illustrated may be used, and that various 0 other substitutes, omissions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

45 I claim: a

w of spaced conductor elements connected to a common portion of the strip member, forming the stamping into a cylinder by welding together the ends of said common connecting portion, electrically connecting the electrodes to the free ends 55 of said spaced conductor elements, placing the cylinder to dispose an intermediate portion of each conductor element between portions of said bulb and said exhaust tube, heat sealing the tube. bulb and intermediate conductor portions, and re- 0 moving the said common connecting portion from Lead-in consaid conductors so that the spaced elements may serve as separate lead-in members 2. In a method of assembling an electric discharge tube containing a glass bulb, a metal exhaust tube, a glass ring, and a plurality of elec- 1 der by welding together the ends of said'common connecting portion, mounting said glass ring on the metal tube. placing the cylinder.- to dispose an intermediate portion of each spaced element outside oi' and in contact with said glass ring, elec-' A glass bulb 64 is placed on the lead-in portions ts trically connecting the electrodes to the free ends amen 7 oisaidspacedelementaslippingtheopenendoi saidglsssbulboverthespacedelementstobring them between the glam ring andthe inside bottom portion of the bulb, heat sealing the bulb, conductor elemenh giess ring and tube, and cutting on the said common connecting portion from said conductor elements so that the spaced elements may serve as separate lead-in members.

3. Inamethodotassembiinganeiectrondis charge tube containing a glass bulb, a glass:- haust tube, and a plurality oi electrodes, the steps which comprise stamping a metallic strip to form a plurality of spaced conductor elements connected to a common portion 01 the strip member, forming the stamping into a cylinder by connecting the ends oi-the common portion, electrical] connecting the electrodes to the free ends oi sai spaced conductor elements, placing the cylinder to dispose an intermediate portion of each conductor element between portions or said bulb and said exhaust tube, heat sealing the tube, bulb, and intermediate conductor portions, and removing the said common connecting portion irem said conductors so that the spaced elements may serve as separate lead-in members.

4. In the manufacture or an electron discharle' tube containing a bulb, an exhaust tube, and a plurality of electrodes the method or providing unitary supporting and lead-in conductors for said electrodes, which comprises the steps of stamping a metallic strip to form a plurality of spaced conductor elements connected to a common portion of the strip member, forming the stamping into a cylinder by connecting the ends of the common portion, placing the cylinder to dispose an intermediate portion of each spaced conductor element around the upper portion of said exhaust tube, with the free ends of said elements extending beyondthe exhaust tube toward the electrodes to be free for connection therewith, connecting the electrodes to said ends, slipping the'open end of said bulb over the spaced elements to place them between said exhaust tube and the inside bottom portion of said bulb, heat sealing the tube, bulb and intermediate conductor rality oi lead-in wires connected by a common support, bending the said support and welding in: said cylinder over the said glass tube so that a portion of each of said wires projects above and beyond the upper edge oi the glass tube, connecting the electrodes of the tube assembly to the projecting portions of the lead-in wires, slipping the open end of the bulb portion over and outside of the portions oi the'lead-in wires that rest against thaside of the glass tube, heat sealing the said glass tube portion and the said glass bulb portion to the wires and to each other, and cutting away the common support irom the wires so that they will become electrically separated at the bottom and will be available to serve as lead-in wires.

KAREL M. VAN GESSEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

